Jennifer and Aaron sidestep tradition at rustic wedding in the country

With their gorgeous rustic wedding, Jennifer Simmonds and Aaron Doggett proved that you don’t have to stick entirely with tradition to have a meaningful and romantic day.

“We both decided we didn’t want a church as we aren’t religious, but wanted more than a simple registry office wedding,” Jennifer, 29, explains.

That’s when they found Dairy Barns in Hickling, Norfolk, a rustic country barn that fitted the bill perfectly.

It had taken the Norwich couple longer than expected to make it down the aisle, with Jennifer discovering she was pregnant with her second child Harry not long after the engagement.

Finally though, Jennifer and Aaron, 31, wed on July 8, 2016 in front of 25 close friends and family. Another 25 guests took part in the evening celebrations in the venue carefully decorated by the bride and her bridesmaids the day before.

Jennifer says the day turned out better than planned and had the laid-back vibe they were after.

“It wasn’t a traditional structured wedding. It was relaxed and chilled and everyone could let their hair down, relax and enjoy themselves,” she says.

“The feedback we got was amazing. People saying that it changed their mind of what a wedding should be like.”

Aaron wore a three-piece grey suit from Slaters, with a peach tie and pocket square to tie in the pastel theme.

Jennifer walked down the aisle in a beautiful one-shouldered gown from La Belle Angele.

“If I could offer any advice I would tell you to grab that five minutes away from everyone for a little chat and an ‘eeek we are married’. It was so nice to go to the beach together and have that special time,” reflects Jennifer.